Nurse Practitioner Jane Anderson, Ph.D., F.N.P.-B.C., was selected as one of the Texas Nurses Association's 20 Outstanding Nurses for 2011. Anderson will receive her award on November 10, 2011 at the organization's Nursing Celebration 2011.

Anderson has worked at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) since 1998. She is a certified family nurse practitioner with a clinical practice focused on helping Veterans learn self-management skills to reduce their risk of stroke. She developed and implemented the Self-Management to Prevent (STOP) Stroke Program at the MEDVAMC. This comprehensive stroke risk reduction program applies the principals of other well-established self-management programs where patients are involved as decision makers in their care, and are taught skills to help them take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the multiple chronic health problems that contribute to their risk for stroke.

"Dr. Anderson is truly committed to providing the highest possible health care for our Nation's heroes. She exemplifies excellence in all of the missions of the DeBakey VA; highest quality and compassionate care for our veterans, developing new approaches to treatment, and educating our future partners in health care" said Thomas Kent, M.D., Neurology Care Line Executive. "It comes as no surprise her peers are recognizing her as one of the best nurses in Texas. We are honored to have her on our team."

As a nurse practitioner with extensive clinical experience specializing in stroke care, Anderson serves as a clinical advisor at the local and national level. She is a member of the Veterans Health Administration National Stroke Care Task Force that developed recommendations provided to the Under Secretary for Health about evidence-based management of acute ischemic stroke.

Anderson is the principal investigator on multiple funded research projects to improve stroke care delivery in the VHA. Her program of research is focused on identifying effective information systems and telemedicine modalities to improve stroke care delivery and prevention for Veterans. An active member of the Stroke Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), Anderson co-leads the Stroke QUERI In-hospital Management Workgroup and the Stroke QUERI Quality Improvement Network.

As the associate director of the Stroke Center at the MEDVAMC, Anderson directs stroke quality improvement and implementation research. She also serves as the chairperson for the Nursing Research and Practice Outcomes Council at the MEDVAMC. In this role, she provides ongoing mentorship to nursing staff on the development of research and evidence based practice skills.

Anderson is also an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the Baylor College of Medicine and adjunct assistant professor at Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing (PVAMU). She established a popular chronic disease management course for nurse practitioner students at PVAMU. Students rotating through the STOP Stroke Clinic gain hands-on experience in the principals of chronic disease management and learn how to deliver care in collaboration with other clinicians to ensure Veterans receive evidence-based secondary prevention for stroke.

Texas Nurses Association is a state-wide membership-based association of registered nurses. Founded in 1907, it is the oldest professional nursing association in Texas. Its members represent all segments of nursing practice, from bedside to administration, consulting to advanced practice, and education to legislation.